He tried for the past two years without success but did not give up. And this year he did it.

Mohammed Shameer Khan, of Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort, proved to be the best amongst the chefs who took part in the Fiji Salon Culinaire competition at the 2015 Vodafone and Westpac HOTEC Trade Show.

He was announced as the Fiji Chef of the Year 2015 on Friday night after giving tough competition to other chefs during the three days trade show at Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa.

Mr Khan said: “I was surprised because it was a tough competition, very challenging indeed and I am really grateful for this.

“The past two years, I had been unsuccessful but this year I had really worked hard for it and I am glad for my achievement. I can say finally my hard work has come to fruition.”

The 27-year-old from Kulukulu, Sigatoka, is the first chef in the family and is proud of it.

He is married with two children.

As a chef, he loves what he does and has been with the Outrigger team for the past six years.

He said despite the competition being a tough one, it was a great exposure and learning experience for him.

“One thing I have learnt is that this competition builds confidence in you as a chef and gives a platform for you to explore and challenge your own self,” Mr Khan said.

“It shows where as a chef you stand and where is room for improvement.”

He is looking forward to imparting knowledge learnt from the competition to other chefs back at the resort.

“I am very grateful to the Fiji Chefs Association and the whole Outrigger team for their continued support and motivation and am glad to be part of the competition,” he said.

Scholarship

Mr Khan is also a recipient of a scholarship to study culinary at the Le Cordon Bleu, in Wellington, New Zealand.

The scholarship is for three months in culinary arts.

He said this was very exciting times for him and he was delighted for such an opportunity.

“Cooking is a passion for me and to actually get my skills enhanced in an excellent French culinary school is a dream come true,” Mr Khan said.

“I am really looking forward to it learning further and exposing myself to new challenges in the food industry.”

The culinary school offers intensive training in the culinary arts and those aspiring towards a career in food and hospitality.

They combine the very best of new world innovation and local cuisine with the principles, techniques and artistry of the French traditions.

Feedback:  farisha.ahmed@fijisun.com.fj